Quantum phases of dipolar rotors on two-dimensional lattices.

The quantum phase transitions of dipoles confined to the vertices of two-dimensional lattices of square and triangular geometry is studied using path integral ground state quantum Monte Carlo. We analyze the phase diagram as a function of the strength of both the dipolar interaction and a transverse electric field. The study reveals the existence of a class of orientational phases of quantum dipolar rotors whose properties are determined by the ratios between the strength of the anisotropic dipole-dipole interaction, the strength of the applied transverse field, and the rotational constant.

Synthesis and characterization of an unsymmetrical cobalt(III) active site analogue of nitrile hydratase.

The design, synthesis, and characterization of an unsymmetrical diamidato-dithiol ligand (H(4) 1, where the hydrogen atoms represent deprotonatable amide and thiol protons) and its cobalt(III) complex, a synthetic analogue of the cobalt-containing nitrile hydratase enzyme family, are reported. The ligand was prepared in 24% yield from an overall eight-step synthetic pathway following a modified protocol established in our laboratory that includes two peptide couples using O-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate as the coupling agent. The ligand and all precursors were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis.